1. Research on Japan’s Foreign Aid and Official Development Assistance
Elena Iriyama (De Angelis)
5617A004-1

2. Official Development Assistance
ODA: Official government aid aimed to promote the economic development and welfare of developing countries
Bilateral Aid: Government  recipient country
Multilateral Aid: Government  multilateral agencies
ODA
Bilateral
Technical Cooperation
Loan Aid
Grants
(Others)
Multilateral

3. Background on Japan’s Foreign Aid
Post-war reparations
1960s – rapid ODA progress, development of overseas infrastructure
Creation of JICA and other admin. organizations
– policy changes  expansion, new projects
Becoming a “top donor” country (1989)

4. …since the 90s JICA reforms in 2003 and 2015 revisions
2003 – independent administrative institution
2008 – merges with Japan Bank of International Cooperation
2003 and 2015 revisions
In 2016, Japan ranked fourth in contributions to ODA
Japan’s ODA is only 0.22% of its GNI

5. Characteristics of Japan’s ODA
Fragmented system
Use of loans
“wait-to-be-asked” attitude
Asia-centered
Emphasis on infrastructure and human resource development
“Self-help” mentality

6. A Critical View: International Criticism and Skepticism
More loans than grants (tied aid)
Economic infrastructure development – self-serving
Focus or priority for Asian countries
Skepticism about Japan’s real intentions
ODA as a diplomatic tool
Economic interests

7. Changes in Japan’s ODA
Administration – three aid programs become one, and JICA becomes more autonomous
Goals – from economic takeoff to poverty reduction
Attitude – more proactive role
Policy – clearer directions

8. Possible Areas of Research
The changes in Japan’s ODA
Infrastructure: its importance in helping economic development and poverty reduction in receiving countries
Aid philosophy and different mentalities for development strategies – Japan vs. the West (international comparison)

9. Tentative Question
How does Japan’s ODA address the new challenges of the 21st century in its revisions in 2003 and 2015?
MDGs and SDGs
Poverty Reduction, Global Issues, Peace-building, Sustainability, Education

10. Research Methods Read the “White Papers” from MOFA
Rely on books for history, but reports for current situation
Annual Report on Japan’s ODA by JICA and the OECD
Compare/analyze the statistics released from government, international organizations and NGOs
Case study?

11. Bibliography
Akiyama, Takamasa and Takehiko Nakao Japanese ODA: Adapting to the issues and challenges of the new aid environment. Tokyo: Foundation of Advanced Studies on International Development, Print.
Japan’s Development Assistance, a Conversation with Mr.Hiroshi Kato. UNUChannel. (2016, June 22). Retrieved from
Kato, Hiroshi, Japan’s Development Assistance: Foreign Aid and the Post-2015 Agenda, Palgrave Macmillan, Print.

12. MOFA, Japan’s Official Development Assistance White Paper 2014
MOFA, Japan’s Official Development Assistance White Paper Tokyo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan,
MOFA, White Paper on Development Cooperation Tokyo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan,
Furuoka, Fumitaka, International Comparison of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) Policy. Kota Kinabalu, Universiti Malaysia Sabah Press, 24 Feb muenchen.de/11899/1/MPRA_paper_11899.pdf 
Potter, David M. (2012) Japan’s Official Development Assistance, in David M. Potter and Hyo-sook Kim (eds), Foreign Aid Competition in Northeast Asia. (Sterling, Va: Kumarian Press). cia/item/pdf_12/kenkyu_02.pdf